deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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So it looks like a few friends have persuaded us to go to London for New Year, bit of a mooch around then fireworks on the embankment. Apparently, there is an "official enclosure" which you have to be in by 8pm. So does that mean 4 hours standing like animals in a pen, with access to nothing?
Is London completely rammed on new year, difficult to get into restaurants etc?
Any pointers would be great!?
I'm not a city lad and not a fan of crowds and confined spaces. I don't think it'll be for me!
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jacko198
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Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
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I think it officially closes at 8. But tends to get full and close mid afternoon! So yeah. Standing there for 5 hours is about right
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SVM 286
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Registered: 13th Feb 05
Location: pain
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Personally Dean, you'd have to pay me to go there.
It's bad enough in the summer when one has some free will and some warmth.
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Just read some reviews online. I know people on Trip Advisor can be a bit pedantic but most have said those that do it only do it once. And a labour of love as you stand there for 5 hours for 10 minutes worth of fireworks!
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Dan
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Registered: 22nd Apr 02
Location: Gorleston on Sea, Norfolk
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I've watched the fireworks in London for as long as I can remember.
From the comfort of my sofa. I intend to do the same this year.
Bit surely u can see the fireworks from miles away. Meaning u can go somewhere nice for the night and watch from there?
Adult GiftsClick here to vist us
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Robbo
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Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: London
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dont. do. it. no alcohol, no toilets and standing still in a cold sheeppen for 5 hours basically. if uoi must see the fireworks, find a house party ot hotel party on the banks and watch from there!
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Nath
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Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: MK
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This has never appealed to me for the above reasons.
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Ian
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Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
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Sounds amazing.
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Paul_J
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Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: London
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It is rather shocking... I did it a few years ago and basically was getting crushed for a few hours in crowds near a bridge... no alcohol - was shite. Fireworks weren't even that good.
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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I went for the millenium. Champagne, sitting on a wall at South Bank, was amazing!
Sounds like it's changed a lot since then 
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SteveoBC
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Registered: 22nd Feb 07
Location: Bucks
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my sister went once and lost her mates and ended up celebrating with a load of randoms and you cant get booze from anywhere
if i wasnt going out id rather get pissed at home than go there
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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If you want a decent spot then get down there for 8/9 and prepare to pee around for a few hours trying to catch the last tube. Worth doing the once but tbh i'd just head to a decent pub/bar (Wax's is a good shout; was decent when i went a few years back).
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jrsteeve
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Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: Manchester
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Did it last year, you really have to be in a position to see the fireworks by 6pm. Close to Big Ben seems to be best. It's a fucking nightmare once it's finished, avoid the Strand and the tube completely, pretty scary to be honest. It all sounds like a nice idea, but thousands have the same. I really wouldn't bother, instead get to a bar/club/whatever for midnight and have a better time.
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smcGSI16V
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Registered: 26th May 03
Location: Farnborough Drives: Thurlby 888 CDTi No.98
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Been loads of times and would be going this year if it wasn't for my broken collar bone.
We usually park up near marble arch, walk over to china town for a chinky about 7ish then walk down to the embankment at charing cross bridge.
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MarkM
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Registered: 11th Apr 01
Location: Liverpool
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When I lived in London I was there for two NYE celebrations. Not once did I go to watch the fireworks. Basically because it's a ball ache. Avoid.
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Welsh Dan
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Registered: 23rd Mar 00
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They're spoiling you this year, you get 10 minutes AND forty-five seconds of fireworks, before Auld Lang Syne and whatnot.
But yeah, it'll be busy from 6pm onwards. Road closures start going in at 4pm.
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All Torque
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Registered: 17th Nov 05
Location: Milton Keynes Drives: Ford Focus TDCi
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Did it year before last, drove down to Shepards Bush and parked at the shopping center for free and got cheap tube tickets... 
...Thats where the 'good' things ended  then being crushed and shoved along your way to the embankment, they search your bags for anything remotely fun, you have to get there early and stand your ground for 4-5 hours with NOTHING to do...
I knew it would have been busy, I fully understood the capital city would be the place to be for everyone, it was just suuuuch a pain in the arse for 10 mins of fireworks.
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All Torque
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Registered: 17th Nov 05
Location: Milton Keynes Drives: Ford Focus TDCi
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Oh yeah and once it ends....  good luck!
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oceansoul
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Registered: 19th Jun 06
Location: Sunbury, Surrey
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Went once. Never again. Even worse after its all finished and have to find a tube station. Bridges closed, one way systems thousands of people.
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baza31
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Registered: 19th Apr 03
Location: yorkshire
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Watch it on tv in the comfort of your own home
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Generation
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Registered: 7th Jul 09
Location: Essex
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In going. Don't want to. Been before was fucking shit, and full of spastics
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Some nice responses
Looks like weather is going to be shit too so we've cancelled the idea.
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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As mentioned, get down to Waxy's - £10 in for NYE, reasonably priced (for London), it was rammed but the atmosphere and bands were brilliant when i went a few years back. Only issue is trains, last trains out of the city are around 1:30am and don't start up again 'til the morning (6ish).
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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So I'm sitting at home in my comfys with numerous bottles of beer and 3/4 bottle of Sagatiba to get through, in front of the fire.
Happy New Year!
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Y869 SRA
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Registered: 22nd Jul 12
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quote:
Originally posted by deano87
So I'm sitting at home in my comfys with numerous bottles of beer and 3/4 bottle of Sagatiba to get through, in front of the fire.
Happy New Year!
Me too. Took a look at the crap weather and thought no thanks.
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